System and method for the installation of a prefabricated wall paneling system

ABSTRACT

A paneling system for a home media center having prefabricated wall panel sections, prefabricated columns positioned at the joints between adjacent wall panel sections, and adjustable baseboard trim pieces. The wall panel sections can be positioned behind the columns at the joints in order to accommodate various room length dimensions. Cutout section profiles on the columns precisely match trim profiles of the wall panel sections when the wall panels are positioned behind the columns. The baseboard trim on the wall panel sections and on the columns is vertically adjustable by means of a screw and slot arrangement to accommodate height variations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.provisional patent application No. 60/609,908, entitled “PANELINGSYSTEM,” filed Sep. 13, 2005, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a paneling system for a home media center andmore particularly relates to a paneling system that is prefabricated andeasily installed and adjusted to accommodate the dimensions andvariations in dimensions of a pre-existing room in which the panelingsystem is installed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many circumstances, home media centers are installed in pre-existingrooms in a house. Such a home media center typically includes a largescreen television or projection video screen, a sound system withmultiple speakers, and the related wiring and accessories. In order tomaximize the performance and aesthetics of such a home media center,consideration is usually given to providing a paneling system which isnot only attractive, but which provides enhanced acousticcharacteristics for the pre-existing room.

Where a home media center is installed in a pre-existing room in ahouse, the paneling system must accommodate the dimensions and thevariation in the dimensions of the pre-existing room. Conventionally, apaneling system for a home media center is custom built on-site byskilled craftsmen who carefully measure and cut the various panels andtrim pieces to fit the dimensions and to accommodate the variations inthe dimensions of the pre-existing room. Such an installation of apaneling system for a home media center is time-consuming and thereforeexpensive.

SUMMARY

The paneling system of the present invention includes prefabricated wallpanels and prefabricated columns positioned at the joints betweenadjacent wall panels. The wall panels and columns have crown and capmoldings that are precut and attached adjacent to the top edge of thewall panels and columns. The wall panels and columns also havebaseboards that are adjustably attached adjacent to the lower edge ofthe wall panels and columns. The wall panels and columns are factoryfabricated thereby assuring high-quality fit and finish. Particularly,the back edges of the baseboard on the columns are cut to preciselymatch the profile of the baseboard on the intersecting wall panels. Thesides of the columns are likewise cut to precisely match the profiles ofthe crown and cap moldings on the intersecting wall panels.Consequently, the wall panels can slide behind the column in order toincrease or decrease the space between adjacent wall panels and therebyaccommodate rooms of varying dimensions.

In order to accommodate variations in the height of the walls of thepre-existing room, the baseboard on the wall panels and on the columnsis vertically adjustable by means of a screw and slot arrangement.

Wall panels can be constructed in a variety of configurations toaccommodate the various designs for the home media center. Particularly,a plain wall panel comprises a decorative peripheral frame and a fabricinsert panel centered on the plain wall panel. The fabric insert panelis generally manufactured and installed in accordance with the teachingsof U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,574,936 and 5,715,638, and accordance with pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/201541, filed Jul. 23, 2002,entitled “SEAMED/SEAMLESS WALL PANEL SYSTEM” and pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/798222, filed Jul. Mar. 11, 2004, entitled“SEAMED/SEAMLESS WALL PANEL SYSTEM.” Of course, other fabric insertpanels and methods may be employed.

Another wall panel configuration may include various panel components.Such a component wall panel configuration may include a recess for alarge screen television or projection video screen and associatedrecesses for speakers, shelves, drawers, or cabinets with doors forrelated components and hardware. The openings of the speaker recessesare covered with speaker cloth. A speaker cloth attachment assemblyattaches the speaker cloth over the speaker recesses and includes aspeaker cloth support frame. The speaker cloth support frame has aperipheral slot cut in its back side to receive a resilient bead thatholds the speaker cloth in a stretched condition over the speaker clothsupport frame. The speaker cloth support frame is then removablyattached over the opening to the speaker recess by means of hook andloop fasteners.

The columns, which are installed at the intersections between the wallpanels, include a sconce column and a corner column. The sconce columnis used to cover any gap at the intersection between two adjacent wallpanels mounted in the same plane along a wall of the room. The cornercolumn is used to cover any gap at the intersection between two wallpanels that meet at the corner of the room.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide apaneling system that is aesthetically pleasing and that enhances theacoustic characteristics of the home media center.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a panelingsystem in which sconce columns and corner columns are used toaccommodate and disguise variations in dimensions in the length of thewalls of the pre-existing room.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a panelingsystem in which the baseboard is vertically adjustable in order toaccommodate variations in dimensions in the height of the walls of thepre-existing room.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide fabricinsert panels for the wall panels which are easily installed, removed,and replaced to vary and thereby tune the acoustical characteristics ofthe home media center.

Another object of the present invention is to provide wall panels withrecesses for a television, speakers, shelves, and cabinets with doors toaccommodate media equipment and components.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a speaker clothattachment assembly for covering the openings of the speaker recesseswhich includes a speaker cloth support frame with a slot cut around itsinside periphery to accommodate a resilient bead for attaching andstretching speaker cloth or other fabric over the opening of the speakerrecess.

Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of the inventionwhen taken in conjunction with the drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of three walls of a room having a componentwall panel, two plain wall panels on adjacent walls, two sconce columns,and two corner columns all accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of three walls of a room having a largeplain wall panel flanked on one side by a small plain wall panel andflanked on the other side by a component wall panel (shelves), twosconce columns at the intersections between the wall panels, two largeplain wall panels on adjacent walls, and one corner column.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a component wall panel for mountinga large screen television or projection video screen with flankingcorner columns.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of two large plain wall panels with asconce column positioned at the junction between the two plain wallpanels and with one flanking corner column.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a large plain wall panel adjacent adoor opening with a sconce column positioned at the junction between thedoor opening and the large plain wall panel, a small plain wall paneladjacent the door opening, and flanking corner columns.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a large plain wall panel flanked onone side by a small plain wall panel and on the other side by acomponent wall panel (shelves), two sconce columns at the junctionbetween the wall panels, and one corner column.

FIG. 7 is a detailed drawing showing sliding intersection between thecrown in and cap molding on the wall panel and the side of the sconcecolumn.

FIG. 8 is a detailed drawing showing the sliding intersection betweenthe baseboard on the wall panel and the baseboard on the sconce columnand showing how the baseboards are attached to the wall panel and sconcecolumn in a sliding fashion to accommodate uneven floors and varyingwall heights.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a component wall panel for a largescreen television or projection video screen with flanking speakerrecesses.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the component wall panel of FIG. 9with details of the attachment of speaker cloth over the speakerrecesses.

FIG. 11 is a further detailed drawing showing how the speaker cloth isattached to a speaker cloth support frame with a resilient bead and howthe speaker cloth support frame is attached to the component wall panelusing hook and loop fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a pre-existing room 12 with a paneling system 10 inaccordance with the present invention. The paneling system 10 includestwo large plain wall panels 16, a component wall panel 18, two sconcecolumns 22, and two corner columns 24. FIG. 2 illustrates anotherpaneling system configuration consisting of two large plain wall panels16, a small plain wall panel 17, a bookshelf component wall panel 19,two sconce columns 22, and a corner column 24. A door opening at 21 isalso shown in FIG. 2. The various components of the paneling system maybe installed in any combination and configuration to meet the needs ofthe particular pre-existing room 12.

Turning to FIG. 3, the video screen component wall panel 18 for a largescreen television or projection video screen consists of a video screenrecess 32 for accommodating a large screen television or projectionvideo screen. In addition, the video screen component wall panel 18 hasspeaker recesses 34 on either side of the video screen recess 32 toaccommodate the speakers for the large screen television or projectionvideo screen. In addition, recesses 35 extend along the lower portion ofthe video screen component wall panel 18. The recesses 35 mayaccommodate additional speakers, or the recesses 35 may have doors toaccommodate other home media components or to provide additionalstorage.

The video screen component wall panel 18 has decorative crown molding 26located above the video screen recess 32. Decorative cap molding 28 isinstalled above the speaker recesses 34. In addition, baseboard 30 isused to trim the lower portion of the video screen component wall panel18. Corner columns 24 are located on each side of the video screencomponent wall panel 18 to cover any gap that might exist between thevideo screen component wall panel 18 and the wall panels 16 on theadjacent walls.

Turning to FIG. 4, two large wall panels 16 with sconce column 22 areillustrated. Each of the large wall panels 16 has a peripheral frame 15into which is set a fabric insert panel 20. The peripheral frame 15 istypically made up of a wood-backing frame overlaid by decorative woodsor veneers. Molding may be added to the peripheral frame 15 to enhanceits overall decorative appearance. The fabric insert panels 20 aregenerally manufactured and assembled in accordance with the disclosuresof U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,574,936 and 5,715,638, which are hereby incorporatedby reference. In addition, the insert panels 20 may be manufactured andassembled in accordance with pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/201541, filed Jul. 23, 2002, entitled “SEAMED/SEAMLESS WALL PANELSYSTEM” and pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/798222, filedJuly Mar. 11, 2004, entitled “SEAMED/SEAMLESS WALL PANEL SYSTEM,” whichare hereby incorporated by reference. The fabric insert panels 20provide a mechanism for varying the acoustic characteristics of the room12 by changing the fabric or the underlying fill material of the fabricinsert panels 20.

With continuing reference to FIG. 4, the two large wall panels 16 arelocated along the wall of the existing room 12. Where the two large wallpanels 16 join near the center of the wall in FIG. 4, the sconce column22 is installed to cover and to disguise any gap that exists at thejoint between the two wall panels 16. Likewise in FIG. 5, the sconcecolumn 22 covers any gap that exists at the joint between the largeplain wall panel 16 and the door opening 21. Similarly, in FIG. 6, thesconce columns 22 cover any gap that exists at the joint between thesmall wall panel 17 and the large wall panel 16 as well as any gap thatexists at the joint between the large wall panels 16 and the bookshelfcomponent wall panel 19. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the corner columns24 cover any gaps that exist at the joints between the video screencomponent wall panel 18 and either of the large plain wall panels 16.

As previously explained, by covering any gaps at the joints between thewall panels, 16, 17, 18, and 19, with the sconce columns 22 and thecorner columns 24, the gaps at the joints between the various wallpanels can vary from tight abutment to a gap that is virtually the fullwidth of the column. In that way, the paneling system 10 can accommodaterooms of different dimensions using standard dimensioned panels andwithout the necessity of cutting the panels. In order to vary the gap atthe joint between adjacent panels, some provision must be made so thatthe trim on the wall panels including the crown molding 26, the capmolding 28, and the baseboard 30 form a precisely fitted joint where thecolumn intersects the face of the panel.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, the precisely fitted interface joint betweensconce column 22 and the wall panel 16 for the crown molding 26, the capmolding 28, and the baseboard 30 is constructed so that the panel 16slides behind the column 22. The crown molding 26 and the cap molding 28on the wall panel 16 precisely engage a matching cutout profile on theside 25 of the sconce column 22. Similarly, the baseboard 30 of the wallpanel 16 precisely engages a matching cutout profile on the baseboard 31on the sconce column 22.

With reference to FIG. 7, the side 25 of the sconce column 22 is cutalong a line 41 at the factory to precisely accommodate the profile ofthe cap molding 28, the crown molding 26, and the frame 45 of the wallpanel 16. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the baseboard 31 of the sconcecolumn 22 is cut along a line 43 at the factory to precisely match theprofile of the baseboard 30 of the wall panel 16. The precision cuttingof the side 25 of the sconce column 22 and of the baseboard 31 of thesconce column 22 at the factory insures a precision fit between the capmolding 28 and the crown molding 26 of the wall panel 16 with the side25 of the sconce column 22 and a precision fit between the baseboardmolding 30 of the wall panel 16 with the baseboard 31 of the sconcecolumn 22.

As previously stated, the paneling system of the present invention alsoaccommodates uneven floors and wall heights by means of a verticallyadjustable baseboard. As shown if FIG. 8, the baseboard 30 is attachedto wall panel frame 45 of the wall panel 16 by means of screw and slotarrangement 40. Similarly, the baseboard 31 is attached to sconce columnframe 47 of the sconce column 22 by means of the same screw and slotarrangement 40. The screw and slot arrangement 40 comprises a machinescrew insert 44 embedded into each of the baseboards 30 and 31. The wallpanel frame 45 and the sconce panel frame 47 each include a verticallycut baseboard slot 46. A machine screw 42 extends through the baseboardslot 46 and engages the machine screw insert 44 in each of thebaseboards 30 and 31. Friction pads of felt or of other suitablematerials may be installed between the baseboards 30 and 31 and the wallpanel frame 45 and the sconce column frame 47 respectively. The feltpads provide a bearing surface which imparts consistent frictioncharacteristics between the baseboards and the frames.

Prior to installation, the machine screws 42 are tightened to createfriction between the baseboards 30 and 31 and the frames 45 and 47 thatis sufficient to hold the baseboards 30 and 31 in place against smallvertical forces applied to the baseboards 30 and 31. The friction,however, between the baseboards 30 and 31 and the frames 45 and 47allows relative vertical movement between the baseboards 30 and 31 andthe frames 45 and 47 when the installer exerts a vertical force on thebaseboards 30 and 31. The vertical movement of the baseboards 30 and 31with respect to the wall panel 16 and the sconce column 22 respectivelyallows the wall panel 16 and sconce column 22 to accommodate variationsin the height of the walls of the pre-existing room.

FIG. 9 shows the large screen video component wall panel 18 with speakerrecesses 34 on each side. FIG. 10 shows the same large screen videocomponent wall panel 18 in side view with a detail of the speaker clothattachment assembly 23. The speaker cloth attachment assembly 23attaches the speaker cloth 52 or other fabric across the opening of thespeaker recess 34. As more clearly shown in FIG. 11, the speaker clothattachment assembly 23 consists of an external speaker recess molding 33that forms a cloth support frame 39 (FIG. 9) that extends peripherallyaround the opening of the speaker recess 34. A slot 48 is cut in theback side of the speaker recess molding 33 of the cloth support frame39. The speaker cloth 52 is stretched across the back side of the clothsupport frame 39 and a resilient bead 50 is pressed into the slot 48 ontop of the speaker cloth 52. As the resilient bead 50 is pressed intothe slot 48 on top of the speaker cloth 52, the speaker cloth 52 isstretched across the dimension of the cloth support frame 39. Because ofthe resilient bead 50 is slightly larger than the slot 48, the resilientbead 50 holds the speaker cloth 52 securely within the slot 48 in astretched condition. Once the speaker cloth 52 has been secured to thecloth support frame 39, the cloth support frame 39 is attached to thespeaker recess frame 37 by means of a hook and loop fastener 54 as shownin FIG. 11. Consequently, the speaker cloth attachment assembly 23allows easy assembly and replacement of the speaker cloth for thespeaker recesses 34.

While this invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations andmodifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that thedecorative trim may be varied in constructing both wall panels inaccordance with the present invention. Such variations in decorativetrim may be made two accommodate varying tastes and styles withoutdeparting from the present invention.

1. A prefabricated wall paneling system, comprising: at least oneprefabricated wall panel section, the prefabricated wall panel sectioncomprising a predetermined length, a predetermined height, a top edgeand a bottom edge; crown molding, wherein the crown molding is attachedadjacent to the top edge of the prefabricated wall panel section; and abaseboard, the baseboard comprising the same predetermined length of theprefabricated wall panel section, wherein the baseboard is attached tothe bottom edge of the prefabricated wall panel section, the baseboardbeing configured to be vertically adjusted in order to allow the heightof the prefabricated wall panel section to be adjusted.
 2. Theprefabricated wall paneling system of claim 1, further comprising atleast one junction column, wherein the junction column visibly coversthe intersection or gap between two prefabricated wall panel sectionsthat are situated in the same plane.
 3. The prefabricated wall panelingsystem of claim 2, wherein the junction column comprises cutout sectionspositioned on opposing sides of the junction column, each cutout sectionmatching the profile of the prefabricated wall panel section, and thecrown molding and baseboard that is attached to each prefabricated wallpaneling section, that is covered by the junction column.
 4. Theprefabricated wall paneling system of claim 3, wherein the prefabricatedwall panel sections are inserted extending behind a respective cutoutsection of the junction column, the length of each prefabricated wallpanel being visibly adjusted by the amount of prefabricated wall panelsection that is inserted extending behind the junction column through acutout section.
 5. The prefabricated wall paneling system of claim 4,wherein the junction column comprises a baseboard, wherein the baseboardis attached to a bottom edge of the junction column, the baseboard beingconfigured to be vertically adjusted in order to allow the height of thejunction column to be adjusted.
 6. The prefabricated wall panelingsystem of claim 5, wherein a prefabricated wall panel section furthercomprises a fabric insert panel.
 7. The prefabricated wall panelingsystem of claim 5, wherein a prefabricated wall panel section furthercomprises at least one panel recess.
 8. The prefabricated wall panelingsystem of claim 1, further comprising at least one corner column,wherein the corner column visibly covers the intersection or gap betweentwo prefabricated wall panel sections that are situated perpendicularplanes.
 9. The prefabricated wall paneling system of claim 8, whereinthe corner column comprises cutout sections positioned on opposing sidesof the corner column, each cutout section matching the profile of theprefabricated wall panel section, and the crown molding and baseboardthat is attached to each prefabricated wall paneling section, that iscovered by the corner column.
 10. The prefabricated wall paneling systemof claim 9, wherein the prefabricated wall panel sections are insertedextending behind respective cutout sections of the corner column, thelength of each prefabricated wall panel being visibly adjusted by theamount of prefabricated wall panel section that is inserted extendingbehind the corner column through a cutout section.
 11. The prefabricatedwall paneling system of claim 10, wherein a prefabricated wall panelsection further comprises a fabric insert panel.
 12. The prefabricatedwall paneling system of claim 10, wherein a prefabricated wall panelsection further comprises at least one panel recess.
 13. A method forinstalling a prefabricated wall paneling system, the method comprisingthe steps of: overlaying at least one prefabricated wall panel sectionover at least one wall within a pre-existing room, wherein aprefabricated wall panel section comprises crown molding that isattached to a top edge of the prefabricated wall panel section, and abaseboard that is attached to a bottom edge of the prefabricated wallpanel section; installing a junction column between two prefabricatedwall panel sections that are situated in the same plane; installing acorner column between two prefabricated wall panel sections that aresituated in perpendicular planes; and vertically adjusting a baseboardthat is adjustably attached to a prefabricated wall panel section inorder to allow the height of the prefabricated wall panel section to beadjusted.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the junction columnvisibly covers the intersection or gap between two prefabricated wallpanel sections that are situated in the same plane.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the junction column comprises cutout sections onopposing sides of the junction column, each cutout section matching theprofile of the prefabricated wall panel section, in addition to thecrown molding and baseboard that are attached to each prefabricated wallpaneling section that is covered by the junction column.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the step of installing a junction column comprisesinserting the prefabricated wall panel sections into the respectivecutout sections of the junction column, the length of each prefabricatedwall panel being visibly adjusted by the amount of prefabricated wallpanel section that is extended behind the junction column.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the junction column comprises a baseboard,the baseboard is attached to a bottom edge of the junction column, andthe baseboard is configured to be vertically adjusted in order to allowthe height of the junction column to be adjusted.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the corner column visibly covers the intersection orgap between two prefabricated wall panel sections that are situatedperpendicular planes.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cornercolumn comprises cutout sections on opposing sides of the corner column,each cutout section matching the profile of the prefabricated wall panelsection, in addition to the crown molding and baseboard that areattached to each prefabricated wall paneling section that is extendedbehind the corner column.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the stepof installing a corner column comprises inserting the prefabricated wallpanel sections into the respective cutout sections of the corner column,the length of each prefabricated wall panel being visibly adjusted bythe amount of prefabricated wall panel section that is covered by thecorner column
 21. The prefabricated wall paneling system of claim 20,wherein a prefabricated wall panel section further comprises a fabricinsert panel.
 22. The prefabricated wall paneling system of claim 20,wherein a prefabricated wall panel section further comprises at leastone panel recess.